OLMSTED TOWNSHIP, Ohio – For the first time in its history,
the township's board of trustees consists of all women.

"It's quite significant," said Ron Campanalie, a township
resident who congratulated the three women trustees following a recent meeting.
"Men have been running Olmsted Township forever. This is a reflection of
changing social attitudes and the importance of our democracy."

Earlier this month, Tiffany Fischbach was sworn in as the
township's newest trustee, and Sherri Lippus was sworn-in for her second term.
They, along with Jeanene Kress, whose term runs through 2015, make up the
three-member board of trustees.

Scott Ross, whose term on the board expired at the end of
2013, did not seek re-election.

Fischbach and Lippus faced challenges from Karen Corrigan
and Thomas Cole on the November 2013 ballot. The top-two vote getters won
election.

Fischbach said she was surprised that two women managed to
win seats on the board.

"I was pleasantly surprised," she said. "It seems to show
people are more willing to not look at gender and to look at qualifications.
We're moving forward in terms of the discrepancy between men and women."

Lippus agreed the election of an all female board reflects
changing opinions toward gender, but she said she still hears occasional
derogatory remarks about women running the township government.

Lippus said she believes each of the trustees brings a
unique skill set to the job.

Lippus, 39, owns a computer forensic and data
recovery business and has law enforcement training.
Fischbach, 31, is an attorney. Kress is a former Olmsted Falls school board
member.

Kress, the oldest member of the board, said her strength is a
connection with the history of the community and with senior citizens.

"We work well as a team," Lippus said. "It's truly a
collaborative way we get things done."

Olmsted Township is celebrating its bicentennial this year.
However, the first township elections were held in 1830, according to the
Encyclopedia of Cleveland History.

While it is not the first time an all-female board of
trustees has been elected in Ohio, it is still an unusual occurrence, according
to the Ohio Township Association, a statewide organization dedicated to
promoting and preserving township government.

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